Pretoria – Red Bull’s Amaphiko Academy targets entrepreneurs who are making a difference in their communities.
The academy was established in 2014 and grew out of Red Bull’s ongoing mission to identify and develop talented people and help them achieve their full potential.
The academy seminar is in Mamelodi, and a week-long programme, which started on Friday and will end this Saturday, is ongoing at the Mamelodi West Community Hall.
In the past, Red Bull focused on athletes, musicians and dancers, but has extended its mission to “give wings” to entrepreneurs.
The programme was designed to provide social entrepreneurs with the inspiration, mentorship, practical skills and tools to assist them to take their business to the next level.
The programme also includes lectures and workshops, digital know-how and resources. It connects its participants to a global community of like-minded individuals willing to contribute their skills, resources and time.
This year, there were 16 South African social entrepreneurs selected from different cities to participate in the 10-day residential programme.
During the programme, participants will have the opportunity to connect and collaborate with mentors, including leading local and international innovators, entrepreneurs and storytellers.
After the programme, participants will continue to work with their mentors to develop their business for a period of 18 months.
Among the 16 participants is the city’s 19-year-old Thato Mafokoane, who was selected due to his Khof & Khuk Baker project, which teaches young people how to bake and make a living for themselves.
Other entrepreneurs include Randy Mampuru, 23, from Johannesburg, chosen for his project Kids Hub, where he creates a safe space for pupils to do their homework and assignments; Palesa Mahlatsi, 26, from Cape Town, for her initiative Yakh’iphupha, which addresses unemployment by offering small-scale job creation strategies.
The speakers include South African footballer Lucas Radebe and Richard Loat, the chief executive and founder of Sport for Food.